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3w ago

Notre Dame Faces Must-Win Finale at Stanford to Stay in College Football Playoff Hunt

Jeremiyah Love’s late-season surge has elevated him to Maxwell Award finalist status, sharpening the spotlight on Notre Dame’s offense.

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - OCTOBER 18: Jeremiyah Love #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates his touchdown during the game against USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 18, 2025 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 22: College football head coach Frank Reich of the Stanford Cardinal looks on against the California Golden Bears in the third quarter at Stanford Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Overview

  • At 9-2 and ranked No. 9, Notre Dame must beat 4-7 Stanford on Saturday night to keep any chance of returning to the College Football Playoff.
  • Head coach Marcus Freeman framed the trip as a single-focus test, calling the matchup the team’s “Super Bowl” as the Irish seek one last statement for the committee.
  • Notre Dame announced on X that senior running back Jeremiyah Love is a Maxwell Award finalist after a season with 1,306 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns plus receiving production.
  • Love’s profile climbed further with 171 rushing yards and three touchdowns on eight carries in a 70-7 win over Syracuse, and he remains in the Heisman conversation.
  • Stanford plays under interim coach Frank Reich, hired by first-year GM Andrew Luck, and Reich said Notre Dame looks like the best team the Cardinal have faced this season.